The House Appropriations Committee has approved the funding provision of a consolidated measure seeking to establish "disaster food banks" in every province in the Philippines.
One of these, House Bill (HB) No.5245, was authored by Dinagat Island lone district Rep. Alan 1 B. Ecleo.
“Our province’s experience with Covid-19 and typhoon 'Odette' is an eye-opener to the reality experienced by geographically isolated Provinces in times of crises and natural calamities, specifically concerning the accessibility and availability of food supply,” Ecleo said in a statement Monday shortly after it was approved.
“With this bill, we will ensure that no province will have to grapple with massive starvation and inadequate food resources because of transportation delays or interruptions," he added.
The Ecleo measure was one of three disaster food banks bills consolidated and passed by the Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co-led appropriations panel.
The resulting measure aims to establish stockpiles that shall serve as a “central repository and supply reserve of food, water, medicines, vaccines, antidotes, and other critical medical supplies, and other essential goods such as but not limited to, portable power source, first aid kits, portable light source, clothing, tents, and communication devices in every municipality and city in the Philippines".
Such items and materials, according to Ecleo’s Bill, shall be non-perishable or shall have a shelf life of at least two years for food items. The bill shall also help in boosting local agriculture and local economies of municipalities and cities by sourcing the food and other supplies from within the local government units (LGUs) themselves.
The other two bills were HB Nos. 3121 and 3783, authored by API Party-list Michael Morden, and PINUNO Party-list Ivan Howard Guinto.